Heavenly Springs

Holding Fast The Doctrines of Grace

  • About
  • The Doctrines of Grace
  • My Puerto Rican Grandmother
  • Women of the Reformation
  • Resources & Links
You are here: Home / Vocation / The Christian Doctrine of Vocation

The Christian Doctrine of Vocation

January 16, 2012 by Christina

Gene Edward Veith, Jr. explains the Reformation doctrine of vocation:

“When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, observed Luther, we ask God to give us this day our daily bread. And He does give us our daily bread. He does it by means of the farmer who planted and harvested the grain, the baker who made the flour into bread, the person who prepared our meal. We might today add the truck drivers who hauled the produce, the factory workers in the food processing plant, the warehouse men, the wholesale distributors, the stock boys, the lady at the checkout counter. Also playing their part are the bankers, futures investors, advertisers, lawyers, agricultural scientists, mechanical engineers, and every other player in the nation’s economic system. All of these were instrumental in enabling you to eat your morning bread.

Before you ate, you probably gave thanks to God for your food, as is fitting. He is caring for your physical needs, as with every other kind of need you have, preserving your life through His gifts. “He provides food for those who fear him” (Psalm 111:5); also to those who do not fear Him, “to all flesh” (136:25). And He does so by using other human beings. It is still God who is responsible for giving us our daily bread. Though He could give it to us directly, by a miraculous provision, as He once did for the children of Israel when He fed them daily with manna, God has chosen to work through human beings, who, in their different capacities and according to their different talents, serve each other. This is the doctrine of vocation.”

Gene Edward Veith Jr., God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life, Illinois:Crossway, 2002, pages 13-14.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit

Filed Under: Vocation

Comments

  1. Paul D. Adams says

    January 17, 2012 at 8:20 am

    It is only a sovereign God as sovereign who can and does employ the means as well as the ends to accomplish all that occurs in the universe. Our only response should be praise to God that he would use our meager vocations and skills to do something far greater than we can ever imagine.

    Thanks for this, Christina. It’s a great reminder that we must honor God in our work and never forget the God who enables us. “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Dt 8:17–18)

    • Christina says

      January 17, 2012 at 10:03 am

      Amen to everyting you have said, Paul.

      In my case, I will confess that this doctrine encourages me to press on in the seemingly mundane and inconsequential tasks. So often we long for something greater but fail to bring Him glory in the place that He has us. Bless God for the grace that makes us willing and then empowers us!

  2. Barbara Thayer says

    January 18, 2012 at 11:52 am

    When my husband and I first became Christians, we considered going into ministry. He was in optometry school at the time so it would be a big change. As we prayed, however, God showed us that we could best serve Him by helping others with their vision needs. It was the right decision and we knew God had called my husband to this work. Every job, when directed by God, is a ministry in itself if we are dedicated to serving Him. We are the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we are placed if we are willing to serve Him. Thanks for sharing this today.

  3. Petra Hefner says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Beautiful! So many believers separate their spiritual lives, activities, blogs, etc. from the rest of their existence. This points beautifully the other way around and to God in whom we move and have our being – all of it! Love and blessings!!

    • Christina says

      January 20, 2012 at 2:14 pm

      Thank you Barbara & Petra for your comments! I am always blessed by your visits and feedback! And Petra, is that REALLY you? How wonderful to see you back! I’ve missed you sumpin’ fierce! 😉

Trackbacks

  1. Flotsam & Jetsam (1/17) | the Ink Slinger says:
    January 17, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    […] The Christian Doctrine of Vocation – Christina shares a wonderful quote from Gene Edward Vieth, Jr. […]

Categories

Grab a Button!




Recent Posts

  • Yes, you are unworthy!
  • Margaret Clarkson on Human Weakness and the Power of God
  • Crisis, Christ, and Confidence Episode 5: Coronavirus – A Call for the Church to Rise
  • O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink
  • Crisis, Christ, and Confidence Episode 4: Coronavirus, the King of Conspiracies?

Recent Comments

  • Laura A Matesi on My Puerto Rican Grandmother
  • Rose Ali on Resources & Links
  • Liz Blanco on Resources & Links
  • Christina on Resources & Links
  • Liz Blanco on Resources & Links

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.